RELIEVERS: Skill sets for 2021

Time to shift gears and look at 2021. At BaseballHQ, we talk a lot about "draft skills, not roles." That is more true than ever when it comes to bullpens, and relievers really did not get much of a chance to demonstrate skills over a 60-inning or 80-inning sample. What we have is 10-20 innings. But that's what we have, so we are going to try to safe-side it with some filters that are a little more stringent and try to draw some conclusions regarding skill sets from that.

So here are the filters to whittle down the list of relievers who pitched in 2020: 10 more more innings, at least a 10.0 Dom (K/9), at least a 3.0 Cmd ratio (K/BB), no more than a 1.2 HR/9, and an xERA under 4.00. Not too harsh in 2020. Milwaukee's Devin Williams (RHP,...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Relief Pitchers

Teams are moving relievers and this column has early impacts, starting with Paul Sewald's demotion and A.J. Minter (LHP, MIN) to the surging Twins, where he will pair with Yoendrys Gómez (pictured).
Aug 2 2026 3:07am
Skills always matter. Here are five more pens as we head towards August.
Jul 26 2026 3:05am
Buyers and sellers at the deadline always disrupt bullpens. Here are some potential teams to watch.
Jul 19 2026 3:06am
The relievers in this article are the ones most likely to have 20 or more holds at the end of the season.
Jul 12 2026 3:06am
This column examines the RPs who have at least a 20% K%-BB%, no more than a 1.0 HR/9, and no more than a 3.50 xERA as of July 1.
Jul 5 2026 3:09am

Tools